Nursing camisole with body contouring control

ABSTRACT

A wire-free nursing camisole with detachable front straps is described. The nursing camisole allows the top of the camisole to be folded down in order to facilitate nursing. The lower half of the camisole encircling the tummy and lower back region is lined with a second layer of fabric capable of creating a smoothing effect of the tummy area, making it appear firmer and tighter. The camisole provides for fashionability, body shaping, and contouring, in a single garment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the clothing arts, and more specifically to a nursing camisole with detachable front straps to facilitate nursing.

2. Description of Related Art

In general, a camisole or cami is a loose-fitting sleeveless woman's undergarment which covers the top part of the body but is shorter than a chemise. A camisole normally extends to the waist but is sometimes cropped to expose the midriff, or extended to cover the entire pelvic region. Camisoles may be manufactured from light materials, commonly cotton-based, occasionally satin or silk, or stretch fabrics such as lycra, nylon, or spandex. A camisole typically has thin “spaghetti straps” and can be worn over a brassiere or without one. Some camisoles have come with a built-in underwire bra or other support which eliminates the need for a bra among those who prefer one and have been known to be used as outerwear.

A variety of sleeveless body shaping undergarments has been derived from the camisole shape, offering medium control of the bust, waist and/or abdomen. Such control camisoles are the most casual of shaping garments, covering the torso from above the chest to at or below the waist. They look similar to tight-fitting cotton or silk camisoles, but the straps are usually wider, the hems longer, and the stretch fabric provides a smoothing touch.

Traditional camisoles, however, fail to meet the specific needs of nursing mothers, whose milk-filled breasts may be heavier and difficult to manipulate for breastfeeding. There lacks a selection of camisoles capable of providing comfortable breastfeeding without removal of the camisole. This presents a problem for many women who choose to nurse in public, and desire to maintain a certain degree of modesty. In addition, some nursing mothers may be concerned about their postpartum bodies in which a loose stomach, side, and/or back area may typically be associated due to difficulties in losing weight gained after birth, or loss of muscle tone after pregnancy and/or a Caesarian section. The stomach area may also be particularly sensitive to touch and any materials contacting their abdomen region after a recent child-birth event. Due to these constraints, women would often wear basic camisoles over a nursing bra, and under another top when nursing in public. Because there is no nursing function in basic camisoles, it was difficult for women to perform nursing functions. For example, a woman would have to lift the camisole to gain access to the nursing bra, exposing her midsection. Alternatively, women would wear a shaping undergarment over their nursing bras, and under their tops. However, a traditional shapewear camisole would be too tight in the midsection to lift up in order to gain access to the nursing bra.

Thus, despite advances in body shaping undergarments, many camisoles still do not offer the full flexibility, style, and comfort of traditional, non-nursing, camisoles, due to the advanced needs of nursing mothers. Nursing mothers are often limited to a small selection of full-coverage post-partum clothing worn, for example, in conjunction with the camisole. Thus, nursing mothers are unable to express themselves by wearing stylish clothing of the woman's choice with conventional and comfortable nursing means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, there is a need in the art for a camisole for nursing mothers that provides modesty, as well as a degree of body contouring and support capability. The present invention, therefore, provides a camisole with nursing bra functionality, further possessing a control feature for providing body shaping of the waist, abdomen, sides and lower back region. Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention include: (a) providing a camisole having fashionability, body shaping, and contouring, in a single garment, (b) providing one-handed fastening and unfastening of the breast covering area for easy and discreet nursing, (c) providing variable adjustment of the shoulder straps and back band to accommodate the natural changes in a post-partum mother's body.

Still other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description, simply by illustrating a number of exemplary embodiments and implementations, including the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present invention also is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments, but are for explanation and understanding only.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a nursing camisole;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a nursing camisole;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a second configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a third configuration of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-section view of the embodiment shown at the section along lines 8-8 in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A nursing camisole with body contouring control is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the exemplary embodiments. It is apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-5 illustrate various views of the nursing camisole in a variety of configurations, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The nursing camisole or cami 10 may be configured as a loose-fitting sleeveless woman's undergarment which covers the top part of the body but is generally shorter than a chemise. In one embodiment, the nursing camisole 10 may be manufactured from light materials, such as one having a cotton-base material, satin, silk, polyester, foam, microfiber, or stretch fabrics such as elastics, Lycra™, nylon, or spandex, or other suitable clothing material, including cut-and-sew or seamless knit fabric. The nursing camisole 10 may be any color or pattern, to accommodate personal preferences, style, and other factors.

The nursing camisole 10 may include dual shoulder straps 12, 14. Shoulder straps 12, 14 may be of any width, but are preferably of sufficient width to support the camisole 10. Shoulder straps 12, 14 may be made of one or more of any suitable materials, including, for example, knit fabric, cotton, silk, polyester, foam, elastic, microfiber, satin, Lycra™, nylon, spandex, lace, rubber, or plastic. Shoulder straps 12, 14 may be any color or pattern to accommodate personal preferences, style, and other factors.

Dual shoulder straps 12, 14 may be detachably connected to a top region 20 of the outer fabric layer 11 of the nursing camisole 10. Fasteners 28, 30 may be provided, for example, at attachment locations 48, 50 on the top region 20 of the outer fabric layer 11 to connect the dual shoulder straps 12, 14 to the top region 20. Fasteners 28, 30 may be of any type, including clasp elements, clamp elements, or any other suitable strap fastener. Preferably, fasteners 28, 30 are of a type that can be unhooked with one hand or otherwise with minimal effort so as to facilitate the easy release of the top region 20 to be folded down thereby creating inner support member 44 (FIG. 4) for breastfeeding.

Shoulder straps 12, 14 may include strap adjustor elements 32 and 34, respectively, for adjusting the length of shoulder straps 12 and 14 for fit and comfort. Strap adjustor elements 32 and 34 function by overlapping the shoulder strap onto itself in order to lengthen and shorten the strap. Strap adjustor elements 32 and 34 may be composed of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material.

Turning to FIG. 2, shoulder straps 12, 14 may be configured to attach to the rear 26 of the nursing camisole 10 to establish a permanent connection. In the described embodiment, connection elements 56, 58, shown as D-rings, are provided to attach the shoulder straps 12, 14 at one end to portions of the rear 26 of the nursing camisole 10. The connection elements 56, 58 may be composed of plastic, metal, or any other suitable material. In addition, other suitable connection element types may be provided to secure a connection between the shoulder straps 12, 14 at one to the rear 26 of the nursing camisole 10. Alternatively, the shoulder straps 12, 14 may be sewn directly to the rear 26 of the nursing camisole 10.

An embodiment of the described nursing camisole 10 not only comprises an outer fabric layer 11, but also includes an inner fabric layer 46. The inner fabric layer 46 generally extends along the interior of the outer fabric layer 11, below the bust line 18, and down to the bottom of the nursing camisole 10. In a preferred embodiment, the inner fabric layer 46 also traverses along the interior of the outer fabric layer 11 along and across the lower side regions 22, 24 and the lower back portion 36 (FIG. 2) of the nursing camisole 10. The inner fabric layer 46 may be connected to and extend from, at least, an interior of the outer fabric layer 11 generally along the bust line 18 (FIGS. 1 and 2). In another embodiment, the inner fabric layer 46 may also be connected, for example, to seams 52, 54 running along the lower side regions 22, 24 of the interior of the outer fabric layer. Thus, in a final configuration, the lower half of the nursing camisole 10 encircling the tummy, sides and lower back region is lined with the inner fabric layer 46 interior to the outer fabric layer 11 to create dual fabric layers in the aforementioned regions.

In a preferred embodiment, the inner fabric layer 46 is a second layer of fabric and may be different from the outer fabric layer 11. The inner fabric layer 46 is selected from materials capable of creating a smoothing effect, e.g., such as a nylon, mesh, and/or spandex material, that smoothes and cinches the tummy area, sides, and lower back, making those areas appear firmer and tighter. Such materials may be comprised of stretch fabric capable of body shaping and contouring. In addition, the material of the inner fabric layer 46 may also serve to provide additional comfort such as by absorbing perspiration of the user, and/or by providing support to the midsection as a wearer regains muscle tone after birth and/or a Caesarian section.

Turning to FIG. 4, an embodiment of fastener 30 has been undone and is represented by a hook 38 and latch 40 device. Top region 20 is folded down, thereby, creating inner support member 44 for breastfeeding. Shoulder strap 14 is also connected to nursing sling 42 represented as a strap. Nursing sling 42 is connected interior to the top region 20 (see also FIG. 8) of nursing camisole 10. In one embodiment the nursing sling 42 is attached generally at the bust line 18. Nursing sling 42 may function, for example, to prevent shoulder strap 14 from being disconnected from the wearer's shoulder when unclipped for nursing.

Fastener 28 operates in a similar fashion as fastener 30. Turning to FIG. 5, an embodiment of fastener 28 has been undone and is represented by a hook 39 and latch 41 device. Top region 20 is folded down, thereby, creating inner support member 45 for breastfeeding. Shoulder strap 12 is supported in a similar manner as shoulder strap 14. A second nursing sling 43 (represented as a strap) is provided and connected at one end to the interior of the top region 20 of nursing camisole 10. Shoulder strap 12 is also connected to another end of the nursing sling 43. Nursing sling 43 is connected interior to the top region 20 of nursing camisole 10. In one embodiment the inner support member 43 is attached generally at the bust line 18. Thus, the nursing camisole 10 is always fully supported by the user's shoulders via shoulder straps 12, 14 when the either one or both of the fasteners 28, 30 are undone. This configuration allows for a nursing mother to maintain covering for style, modesty, propriety, and other purposes.

Moreover, other implementations of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. Various aspects and/or components of the described embodiments may be used singly or in any combination. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims. 

1. A camisole comprising: a first fabric material; a second fabric material disposed and attached to an interior portion of the first fabric material; a first support member connected and extending from an interior region of the camisole; a second support member connected and extending from an interior region of the camisole; a first shoulder strap having a first end attached to a first portion of the first fabric material, the first should strap having a second end attached to a second portion of the first fabric material and the first support member; a second shoulder strap having a first end attached to a third portion of first fabric material, the second shoulder strap having a second end attached to a fourth portion of the first fabric material and the second support member;
 2. The camisole of claim 1, wherein the second fabric material is different from the first fabric material.
 3. The camisole of claim 1, wherein the second fabric material is more elastic than the first fabric material.
 4. The nursing bra of claim 1, wherein the attachment of the first end of the first shoulder strap to the first portion of the first fabric material is permanent.
 5. The nursing bra of claim 1, wherein the attachment of the first end of the second shoulder strap to the third portion of the first fabric material is permanent.
 6. The nursing bra of claim 1, wherein the attachment of the second end of the first shoulder strap to the second portion of the first fabric material and the first support member is releasably connected.
 7. The nursing bra of claim 1, wherein the attachment of the second end of the second shoulder strap to the fourth portion of the first fabric material and the second support member is releasably connected. 